The Bobcats were able to recover from a two goal deficit once, but not twice in Calgary as the Mustangs doubled-up Lloydminster 4-2 Thursday night.
After falling behind 2-0, Lloydminster responded to tie the game 2-2, before surrendering two third period goals to fall 4-2.
The Mustangs began to build their lead in the first period. Just over seven minutes into the opening frame Calgary opened the scoring on the power-play when Joseph Karpyshyn beat Bobcats starting goalie Pierce Diamond.
Then just over five minutes later with Lloydminster on the power-play, they gave up a 2-on-1 where the Mustangs capitalized. Yuri Chernichko kept the puck and got the puck through Diamond’s five-hole to extend the Calgary lead to 2-0.
Just when it appeared the first twenty minutes would come to an end with momentum in the home team’s favour, Cole Johnson quickly changed the script.
The 19-year old forward danced around two defenders before sliding the puck past Joey May with 36 seconds left in the period, cutting the Mustangs lead in half.
After Johnson netted his fourth goal of the season, it was another Bobcat getting his fourth goal to tie game early in the second.
Just 1:27 into the frame, Kobe Walker deflected home a Zach Ziegler point shot to even the score 2-2.
Throughout the remainder of the second both teams had multiple chances but neither team was able to bury and the score remained 2-2 after two.
In the third, the Mustangs got an early power-play opportunity and they took full advantage.
Former Bobcat, Daniel Rybarik deflected home a point shot to put Calgary up 3-2.
The Mustans then added to their lead four minutes later. Salvatore Scalise sent a seeing-eye point shot into the back of the net to put Calgary back up two.
Despite a late surge from the Bobcats they were unable to get any closer, ultimately falling 4-2.
Diamond made 38 saves on 42 shots for Lloydminster, while May stopped 24 of 26 shots for Calgary.
On the power-play the Bobcats finished 0 for 6, and Calgary went 2 for 8.
Next up for the ‘Cats will be a date with the AJHL’s top team, the Okotoks Oilers Saturday night in Okotoks.
In their first meeting this season, the Oilers downed Lloydminster 6-5 at Showcase in Camrose.
